Carrollton TX vs Mesa AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carrollton
132,741
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Carrollton +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 11.2% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 9.2% | 4.4% | Carrollton + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 2.5% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 26.6% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Carrollton +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $78,779 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $39,586 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Carrollton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.6% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 10.5% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 31.5% | Carrollton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Carrollton +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $435,670 | Carrollton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Carrollton +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Carrollton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
Mesa
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 15.5% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.4% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Carrollton +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 26.7 min | Carrollton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, while carrollton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,531. On public safety, Carrollton is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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